"This blog invests and believes in PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are extremely charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly written text into the body of their award."

Last week, my Dear Friend Blogger, Pat, from http:alittleofthisandalittleofpat.blogspot.com sent me this award. I have been so busy with Mandy's Baby Quilt that I haven't been able to respond...so, I just want to first Thank You Pat for this Award and second, I am so grateful that I met such a sweet and caring friend, in you!!! You are always there for me and pick me up when things get a little crazy around here, so THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!

I believe, as Pat writes about this award first originated in Portugal. I have to now pass it along. I, like Pat, wanted to name Pat Sloan and Fig Tree Quilts and many other professionals that have inspired me along the way, but I do know how busy they are so...this is who I picked:

1. http:fredashive.blogspot.com

2. http:karen-logcabinquilter.blogspot.com

3. http:valsdailythread.blogspot.com

4. http:creativeribbons.blogspot.com

5. http:willworkforfabric.typepad.com

and, lastly my personal favorite

6. http:alittleofthisandalittleofpat.blogspot.com

All of you inspire me when I need inspiration by your blogs, your words and your kindness shown on a daily basis...Thank You,

27 January 2009

I just finished all 25 blocks - piecing that is! Now on to hand applique - the circles! Here is what I will be working on tonight. Stay Warm,Hugs,MaryThese are just a few of the fabrics I used. I hope to have half the blocks appliqued with circles by the Shower this weekend, then I can take what I have done and show her what it is going to look like once done. She is due March 7th, so will have all of Feb to get circles on and then quilt.

OH NO!!!! BLOCKS ARE NOT TURNING OUT TO BE PINWHEELS!!! SO WENT BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD, NOT REALLY DRAWING BOARD, BUT PATTERN AND SAW WHERE I DID NOT FLIP THE TOP OF THE PINWHEEL, SOOOOOO HAVE TO RIP 25 BLOCKS APART AND THEN BEGIN ALL OVER SEWING AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS A PICTURE OF WHAT THEY SHOULD NOT LOOK LIKE.. THANK GOD FOR SEAM RIPPERS!!

24 January 2009

OK HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE BABY QUILT ALL WEEK AND HAVE ALL THE PINWHEELS CUT AND SEWN TOGETHER. ALL I NEED TO DO NOW IS ADD TOP, BOTTOM AND SIDE PIECES TO EACH 8 PIECE PINWHEEL. THEN COMES THE PART OF APPLIQUEING THE CIRCLES ON...SO WILL NOT DO MUCH POSTING THIS WEEKEND AS AM BUSY WORKING, WORKING, WORKING. SHOWER IS NEXT SAT :( WISH I HAD MORE TIME...HUGS, MARY

16 January 2009

AM MAKING SOME PROGRESS ON MANDY'S BABY QUILT. FIRST I HAD TO WASH ALL THE FABRICS, BECAUSE IT'S A BABY QUILT AND IT PROBABLY WILL BE WASHED ALOT, SO DIDN'T WANT THE COLORS TO BLEED. THEN IRONING!!! I DON'T WHAT MY WASHING MACHINE DOES WHEN I WASH FABRICS, BUT I SWEAR IT SORT OF EATS THEM! HONESTLY, AFTER I PUT THEM IN THE DRYER, WELL THEY COME OUT ALL SHRIVELED! NOW I KNOW I SHOULD HAVE USED THE TRICK OF SAFETY PINNING THE ENDS (ONE END OF ONE PIECE OF FABRIC TO IT'S END), BUT I WANTED THIS PROCESS TO GO FAST....SO SPENT LOTS OF TIME IRONING!!!!

NOW THAT THAT'S DONE, ON TO CUTTING. FIRST MADE THE CIRCLES, THEN STARTED CUTTING OUT THE TRIANGLES FOR PINWHEELS.

NEXT ATTEMPT THE OFF WHITE FABRICS INTO TRIANGLES AND RECTANGLES - THAT WILL BE TODAY. MY GOAL IS TO START PIECING BY TONIGHT... SO HERE IS WHAT I HAVE DONE SO FAR....

ALSO, SOME PICS OF COOPER WITH SOME OF HIS "NEW" TOYS, SINCE HE HAS DESTROYED ALL TOYS GIVEN TO HIM AT CHRISTMAS. SO WHILE I HAD MY CAMERA OUT HAD TO TAKE PICS OF OUR LOVELY FRIGID SNOW COVERED STREET AND THE VIEW FROM MY KITCHEN WINDOW.... C O L D!!!! RIGHT NOW WE ARE 10 BELOW ZERO, THE TEMP AND WINDCHILL IS 20 SOMETHING BELOW...VERY, VERY, C O L D!!!

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, KATE HOME FROM WORK PLAYING WITH COOPER (ONCE THE CAMERA IS OUT, EVERYTHING IS GAME)!!!

10 January 2009

YESTERDAY WENT TO THIMBLES, MY LOCAL QUILT STORE AND BOUGHT FABRIC FOR THE PATTERN I AM USING FOR NIECE'S QUILT. THE PATTERN IS BY FIG TREE (I JUST LOVE FIG TREE PATTERNS AND FABRICS)! MY NIECE TOLD ME SHE WANTED BROWNS AND CREAMS, BECAUSE SHE DOES NOT KNOW WHAT SHE IS HAVING AND THE PATTERN IN THE ROOM ARE CIRCLES. SO...I FOUND THIS PATTERN BY FIG TREE. I HOPE SHE WILL LIKE IT. THE THREE CREAM WAY IN THE BACKGROUND ARE FOR THE BLOCK SETTINGS. I DIDN'T WANT TO ADD BLUE/PINK SO I WENT WITH A RICH RUST AND AQUA, A LITTLE GREEN TOO! EVERYONE AT THE QUILT STORE THOUGHT THE COMBO WAS GOOD, SO AM GOING WITH IT.

SO TODAY, SATURDAY, I AM WASHING ALL THE BROWN LIKE FABRIC, SO IT WON'T RUN WHEN SHE WASHES IT AND THEN WILL START THE PROCESS OF CUTTING!! THIS QUILT HAS TO BE DONE BY JAN 29TH, SO WILL POST PROBABLY DAILY ON IT'S PROGRESSION!

WISH ME LUCK AND SAY A PRAYER!!

HUGS,

MARY

MANDY IS A VERY SPECIAL NIECE...SHE WAS MY FLOWER GIRL 29 YRS AGO FOR OUR WEDDING!!! NOW SHE IS MARRIED AND HAVING A BABY...WOW, WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?

05 January 2009

OKAY, I KNOW, I KNOW I SHOULD BE SEWING AND ADDING PICTURES OF WHAT I AM WORKING ON....BUT CAN'T HELP THIS, WENT TO THE BLACKHAWK GAME LAST NIGHT (DID I MENTION WE ARE "HUGE" FANS), WELL, WE ARE, AND GUESS WHAT, I TOOK SOME PICTURES...THE GAME WAS AT THE UNITED CENTER IN CHICAGO. I TOOK SOME PICTURES OF THE STANDS BECAUSE THERE WERE OVER 21,000 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE. WE JUST HAD THE TWO GIRLS WITH US, AS SON WAS WORKING. OLDEST BROUGHT HER BOYFRIEND (WHO IS LIKE ANOTHER SON TO US - THEY HAVE BEEN DATING FOR 6 YEARS), HOT DOGS WERE GREAT (NO KETCHUP ON MINE!!) AND FRIES ARE TO DIE FOR! THEN IT IS ON TO PHASE TWO WHICH ARE ICE CREAM CONES! NICE WAY TO END THE HOLIDAY SEASON AROUND HERE...EVERYONE IS OFF TO SCHOOL AND WORK TODAY. IT'S JUST COOPER AND I!!

ON THE SEWING MATTERS...BY JAN 29TH I HAVE TO MAKE ANOTHER BABY QUILT! HUBBY'S NIECE IS HAVING A BABY AND DUE DATE WAS MOVED UP, SOOOOOO SHOWER IS JAN 29TH AND I HAVEN'T EVEN BEGUN...OH MY!!! WILL HAVE TO GET OFF COMPUTER AND START SEWING, WISH ME LUCK! JUST FOUND A PATTERN YESTERDAY,